Ireland's newest, most extravagant, golf homes are being built in the grounds of a 12th century castle, writes Jack Fagan

HOMES ON the edge of any of Ireland's most exclusive country clubs have always had cachet. The Killeen Castle estate near Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, is taking this specialist market a stage further with the launch of some of the most expensive - and spectacular - homes to have been developed on any of the country clubs.

Despite the slowdown in the property market there has been a high level of enquiries for the Killeen Castle residences, according to Ernie Mooney, the sales and marketing director.

Most of the enquiries have come from families in Meath and Dublin looking for homes in "an exclusive rural settlement close to the city". There is also considerable interest from Irish and overseas investors looking for weekend retreats on the estate.

The response will not surprise Meath residents because the Killeen and Dunsany estates have had control of most of the land in the area for a very long time (would you believe since the 12th century) and have steadfastly opposed the notion of selling off a field or two. So there have been relatively few one-off houses built in Dunsany over the years.

Even now the only spacious and stylish homes likely to become available will be confined to the woodlands around the Killeen estate where planners have allowed 162 terraced and detached homes to be built in return for the heavy investment in the country club.

About 25 have already been built or are due to be completed in the coming weeks.

Apart from six gate lodges at the various entrances to the estate - two of them have already been completed - there will be 70 homes in seven courtyards.

A further 86 large detached homes will stand on their own grounds of at least an acre around the perimeter of the estate.

All the homes have been designed by architect Paul Brazil of Brazil Lohan who contends that the standard of luxury living and the range of detached homes "simply have no equal".

While the gate lodges and the courtyard homes will be handed over ready to move into those looking for large detached homes have the option of either purchasing one of the completed properties or else buying a site which will cost from €1.35 million to €2.3 million.

After that they can choose from one of nine different house types ranging in size from 260 to 1,022sq m (2,800 to 11,000sq ft).

Those seeking a smaller home have a choice of two different types in the courtyards.

The smallest, a three-bedroom, two-storey unit with a floor area of 150sq m (1,610sq ft) costs €1.2 million. They have handsome roof-lit, double height hallways and well proportioned drawing-livingrooms opening directly on to a private terrace.

The show house is bright and cheerful, helped by Miriam Peters' fit-out which has a white theme with bleached woods, stainless steel and glass.

White sofas and grey/beige carpets work well in the reception rooms.

Equally impressive is the Poggenpohl kitchen that has a camel coloured stone counter to add warmth.

The developers are setting aside an allowance of €50,000 for the furniture.

Buyers with a little more to spend may look at the three/four bedroom detached houses on the edge of the courtyards which have a floor area of 213sq m (2,290sq ft) and a selling price of €1.95 million.

In these houses the kitchen and the combined living-diningrooms are on the first floor and open directly out on to a spacious balcony. The showhouse has been tastefully fitted out by interior designer Suzanne Garuda.

The gate lodge marking each of the six entrances to the huge estate incorporate an impressive contemporary interpretation of the classic gate lodge design.

There is a private garden front and rear and once again a roof-lit entrance hallway. In all there is 190sq m (2,045sq ft) of living space including three attractive bedrooms, all with en suites.

Miriam Peters' fit-out is in the style of a cosy American country house. The gate lodges will cost €2.2 million and again there will be a €50,000 allowance for furniture.

The detached houses offer a range of facilities seldom found in new homes.

Two showhouses have already been completed and work will be completed this summer on the third - and largest - detached house, the Plunkett, a five-bed with a floor area of no less than 1,064sq m (11,450sq ft) and a selling price that is likely to be over €7.5 million.

The three-storey over basement house comes with a swimming pool, gym with sauna and steam rooms, wine cellar, cinema and balconies and terraces overlooking the golf course.

There are two other show houses: the Silke, a rambling five-bedroom house with 700sq m (7,530sq ft) of space which has a price tag of €6.5 million. The basement level has a self-contained spa area featuring a sauna, steam room and a large relaxation bath. A separate gym and cinema room are also included.

The vast reception area on the ground floor is even more impressive with an interconnecting drawingroom, diningroom and library/music room.

Visitors are also likely to be impressed by the luxurious finishes, the huge volumes of space and the overall style of the Lucas, a six-bed which is available at €5.5 million. A basement with spa, gym and cinema is included in the 594sq m (6,390sq ft) home.

FACTFILE

NAME:Killeen Castle estate

NUMBER OF HOUSES:162 terraced and detached houses ranging from 150sq m (1,601sq ft) three-beds up to vast 1,064sq m (11,450sq ft) five-beds

SIZES, PRICES:150sq m (1,601sq ft) three-bed costs €1.2m; a 213sq m (2,290sq ft) detached three/four-bed, €1.95m; a 594sq m (6,390sq ft) six-bed for €5.5m; 700sq m (7,530sq ft) five-bed, €6.5m; 1,064sq m (11,450sq ft) five-bed for €7.5m+

FEATURES:depending on house type, they include double-height, roof-lit hallways, private terraces and balconies, Poggenpohl kitchens, front and rear gardens, pool, gym, sauna, steam room, cinema

AGENT:Snowbury (the developer)

WEBSITE:www.killeencastle.com